“I’ve made this decision to step away from the general manager’s position because I feel it is the right time,” Nix said in a post on the team’s website.

The team has a good, young roster and an excellent head coach in newly hired Doug Marrone from Syracuse University, Nix said.

“Timing is the main thing, but there are other benefits as well,” the 73-year-old said. “This job is very demanding, with a 24/7 schedule of responsibilities. This new position will enable me to spend more time with my family.”

Nix has been GM since Dec. 31, 2009. He was hired by the Bills in January 2009 as a national scout, returning to the team after serving as a scout for the Bills from 1993 to 2000.

Nix was a member of the San Diego Chargers’ front office from 2001 to 2008.

Whaley, who played safety and linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh, came to Buffalo in February 2010 after 11 years in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office.

He spent 1994 on Wall Street, dealing with initial public offerings and bridge loans while working for a now-defunct financial firm.

In a July 2010 interview with the Rochester Business Journal, Whaley said he did not come to Buffalo intending to become a general manager here, but that his goal was to become a GM somewhere.

"I believe that's the ultimate goal for everybody on this side of the business," he said then.

"Now, if it never happens, I would just work hard every day to try to give the best to whatever organization I am in and try to help them compete for a championship. I would take championships over being a GM any day."